Building wall construction



March 22, 1960 ,4, w, STEWARD mL 2,929,236

BUILDING WALL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1955INVENTOR.

BY Haumann VV. Srswmno Llemmmb V. STL-WAR: 2/ n/f/z ATTORNEYS March 22,1960 H. w. sTEwARD ETAL 2,929,236

BUILDING WALL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1955 IN1/ENTOR,

BY HmzoLo W. vewmzo QQN'ALD V. Svewmzb EYS A TTOEN United States Patentt BUILDING WALL CONSTRUCTION Harold W. Steward and Ronald V. Steward,Marion, Ohio, assignors to Steward Construction Company, Marion, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application March 29, 1955, Serial No. 497,699

3 Claims. (Cl. 72-42) This invention relates to wall structures and moreparticularly to a block type wall construction provided with novelreinforcing means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall structureformed from blocks which include novel fastening means whereby eachblock in each successive course is secured to the block below andconstantly subjected to a vertical compression force.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallstructure formed from blocks which include novel fastening means forsecuring eachblock to a horizontally adjacent block and for constantlysubjecting each block to a horizontal compression force.

It is another object ofthe present invention to provide a wall structureof the type described wherein each block is provided with novel meansfor securing the block to adjacent blocks, with such means being adaptedto subject each block in each course to a compression f force. Both theforce applying action and the fastening action are readily andsimultaneously effected at the time each block is being laid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallstructure of the type described which includes a superior jointconstruction between adjacent blocks due to the above described novelfastening means combined with a non-hardening mastic, which combinationeffec tively prevents the occurrence of voids at the joints when thewall structure is subjected to variations in loads and temperature.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallstructure of the type described wherein the joint construction betweenadjacent blocks is arranged to create awash which prevents any moisturefrom entering the joints of the wall structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallstructure of the type described wherein the blocks are pre-stressed andprovided with reinforcing means during casting thereof, with the actionof such cast-in reinforcing means being combined with the action ofnovel fastening means for securing the blocks together and forsubjecting the blocks, and the joints therebetween, to a constantcompression force when the blocks are assembled in the wall structure.

It is another object to the present invention to provide a wallstructure formed from blocks provided with novel means for constantlymaintaining the blocks and joints under compression forces. Accordingly,when the wall structure is subjected to a load, the load will at no timesubject the blocks and joints to tension forces, but merely reduces themagnitude of the constantly applied compression forces to lower value.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention isclearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a partially broken perspective view of a ice wall structureformed according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional Yview showing blocks of the wall structure ofFigure 1 which blocks are provided with novel fastening meansconstructed according to the present invention. The section is takensubstantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top elevational view of a block constructed according tothe present invention;

' Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the block of Figure 4; v

Figure 5 is an end elevational view, partially in sections, of the blockof Figure' 3, with the section being taken along the line 5--5 of Figure4; and l Figure 6 is a partial perspective view, partially in sections,of the block of Figure 3, with the section being taken substantiallyalong the lines 6 6 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a typical wall structure, suchas the wall structure for a silo indicated generally at 20. Silo 20includes a foundation slab 22 which supports a circular wall structure23. Wall structure 23 comprises a plurality of pre-cast curved blockmembers such as the ones illustratedat 26 and 27.

Reference is next made to Figure 2 which consists of a sectional viewtaken through two vertically adjacent blocks 26 and 27, with such viewillustrating a novel fastening means Vwhereby the two..blocks aresecuredY together and constantly subjected to a vertically directedcompression force. Each of the blocks is provided with an integrallycast vertically extending sleeve as indicated at 30 and 31.

As seen in Figure 2, the blocks 26 is provided with a rod 33 whichextends vertically through the sleeve 30. The lowerend of rod 33 isprovided with threads 35, and the upper end is provided with threads 36.The rod 33 is secured to a next lower rod 38, by means of a coupling 40which is internally threaded to receive the lower threaded portion 35 ofrod 33, vand the upper threaded portion 41 of rod 38.

The threaded upper end 36 of rod 33 carries a nut 43 which is drawn downagainst a cap 45 extended across the upper end of the sleeve 30.Y

The upper block member 26 is provided with a rod 47 having a, lowerthreaded portion 48 which is'secured to the upper threa-ded portion 36of therod 33 by means of an internally threaded coupling 50. The upperan internally threaded coupling 53, and a nut 54 which is drawn downagainst the cap 55 and across the upper end of the sleeve 31.

At this point it should be noted that the rods 33 and 47, illustrated inFigure 2, are co-axially aligned and connected with identicalsuccessivelyv connected rods which extend through the blocks below, inan identical manner to that illustrated in Figure 2, to form areinforcing column such as is indicated at -57 in Figure 1. Column 57extends through the entire vertical height of the wall structure andincludes a bottom rod member 58 which is secured to y'the foundationslab 22 by being integrally cast therein. It will therefore beunderstood that the rod 33,' of block 26, is rigidly retained at itslower end 35 by the next lower rod138, with the rod members below therod member 38 being extended and successively connected, one with theother, to form an ultimate connection with the foundation slab 22.

In Ibuilding the wall structure, after the course of blocks, whichincludes the block 25 of Figure 2, has been completed, the upperthreaded portion 41 of rod 38 will extend above the upper surface 60 ofthe block 25. Block 26 is next laid upon block 25 with a nonhardeningmastic 62 being provided between the lower surface 63 of block 26 andthe upper surface 60 of block 3 25. The rod33. is disposed in the sleeve30 and secured to the next lower rod 38 by the coupling 40.

If it is desired to tightly lock together the joined ends of rods 33 and38 the rod ends can Vbe joined andthe coupling'tightened beforetheblock26 is placed on top ofbloclg 25. Y f i After block 26`is laidon'top Vof 'block 25, the cap 4S is placed on rod 33 and the nut 43 isdrawn downwardly with an appropriate amountof force whereby the sleeve30and block 26'. are subjected to the desired magnitude of constantlymaintained compression force.

Forpurposes of subjecting adjacent blocks in a given course to a lateralcompression force, a circumferential@ lyextending reinforcing member 72is disposed in a groove 73 as is best seen in Figures 2l and 6. Member72 and groove 73 are located at the upper surface 65 of bloei;` 26.Member 72. is placed in the groove and then tightened by means Yof :aturnbuckle, or other suitable tightening means, whereby member `72 isconstantly maintained under tension which results in a constant lateralcompression force being applied to all of the blocks in the course andto all the joints between the blocks. Identical .horizontally extendingreinforcing members 76. and 77 are shown located at the surfaces 60 and69 respectively.

To supply additional horizontal reinforcement to the structure,horizontally extending pre-stressed wires 80 are cast into the blocks atthe time they are formed. YThe wires 80 are pre-stressed for the purposeof constantly subjecting the blocks to horizon-talV compression forces,with such wires being located on the exterior side, of theA sleeve 30 inthe manner illustrated in Figure 2.

Reference is nex-t made to Figures 3,k 4, and 5 which, illustrate thetypical block 27. It will be noted that` block 27 not only includes thesleeve 31 previously described, but also a second identical sleeve 83,with the4 latter sleeve being provided with an internal rod member andcoupling means identical to that illustrated in Figure 2. As seen inVFigure 4, the sleeves 31 and S3 are each located half way'between acenterline 85 andA edges 86 and 87 of block 27. When block 27 is laid onthe nextlower course, the vertical joints are staggered whereby the leftedge 86 of block 27 is centrally disposed between theleft and right endsof -the next lower block 26. With this arrangement, each ofthe blockscan be of identical design, and, moreovenwhen the blocks are placed oneabove the other, i'n thestaggered relationship, illustrated in Figure l,each sleeve and fastening means will be axially aligned. with a sleevein the block above and a sleeveA in the. block below.

'Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the left vend of block 27 isprovided with an extended portion 90 whichv With reference to. Figure 5,it will be noted that each block is formed with outwardly and downwardlyextending surfaces 100 and 101 each of which conforms with a parallelconfronting surface on the next adjacent block. The downwardly extendingsurfaces 100 and 101 provide a down-wash ateach horizontal junction,which down-wash, when combined with the non-hardening mastic 66,excludes all moisture from the joints and eectively protects ltheinternal reinforcing members from corrosion. i

In summary, the present arrangement provides a novel wall structureformed of blocks provided with novel means for constantly subjecting theblocks, and Ithe joints therebetween, to both horizontal Iand verticalcompression forces. Such compression forces are applied to the blocksand joints of each course as the course is laid in the structure. As aresult the composite wall structure is atv all times subjectedthroughout vto pre-stressed rcompression forces with the result that anextremely durable and sturdy building structure is provided whereby-ten-v sion forces on the blocks and joints are avoided.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow:

We claim:

1. A building block assembly comprising a block, sleeve meansv extendingvertically through said block, a rod extending through said sleeve meansand beyond the top surface of said block, means adjacent the lower sur:face of saidblock receiving and anchoring said rod at its lower endAthereof, the upper free end of said rod being threaded, meanstransmitting force at 'the top of said extends beyond surfaces 91 toform a lap joint with theV next adjacent block to the left. The rightendv87 is provided with an extended portion 93 which extends beyondsurface 95 to form a lap joint with the next adjacent blocl: to theright. In addition, groove 73 includes a widened groove portion 98 forreceiving a turnbuckle or welded lap joint used for securing together,under tension, lateral reinforcing member 72. It will, of course, beunderstood that it is only necessary that one of the blocks in anycourse be provided with a widened groove portion 98 since thereinforcing member 72 is preferably formedY from a single rod which needonly he provided with one junction.

sleeve means adjacent the top of the surface of said block, a nutthreadably secured on said upper end of said rod and in engagement withthe -top surface of said force. transmitting means, said nut, upontightening, placing said rod in tension and said tube under compression,and` coupling means threadably secured to the upper free end of saidrod.

2. A building block assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein themeans transmitting force is a cap engaging the top free end of saidsleeve means and having a central aperture therein through which thethreaded end of said rodk passes.

3. A building block assembly in accordance with claim` 1` in whichthevvsleeve means is integrally formed with said block.

References Cited in the n`le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS764,313 Stevens 1... July 5, 19,04 1,093,127 Haeger Apr. 14, 1914.1,285,458 Strunk Nov. 19, 1918Y 1,734,771 Mitchell Nov. 5, 19292,011,018 Smith Aug. 13, 1935- 2,234,559 Jacobs Mar. 11,1941 2,241,169Yokes May 5, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,795 Denmark Dec. 28, 1916 195,570Great Britain Apr. 5, 1923.

106,399 Great Britain May 24, 1917L 582,249 Great Britain Nov. 1'1,19116v

